Saudi Arabia plans to transform international airports in the Kingdom into state-owned companies, as a step towards privatisation of these airports, Abdullah Ruhaimy, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) was quoted as saying in a recent Middle East Logistics report. MEL said that Arabic magazine Al Majalla quoted Ruhaimy as saying that GACA would start commercial operation of airports within three years. “The international airports will be given corporate … [Read more...] about Saudi to transform international airports
air freighting
DLC gears up to woo carriers
Dubai Logistics City, the cargo complex for the new Dubai World Central airport, is gearing up to make its pitch to freighter operators, and to this end is currently “refi ning its value proposition” and starting to make contacts, accordingto its CEO Michael Proffitt. The timing of any pitches is a critical factor, as DLC does not want to get carriers excited too far ahead of the actual airport opening, which is expected to be sometime in the middle of 2008. That is when the … [Read more...] about DLC gears up to woo carriers
Cathay one of several bidders at Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific is just one of several companies bidding to become the third cargo handler at Hong Kong International Airport, and has competition from other third party handlers, according to the airport’s head of internationalmarketing, Dora Kay. She said it was hoped to have the new terminal operational by 2011, but could not give a more detailed timetable, as she was not personally involved in the tender process. Hong Kong’s second handler, AAT opened its second terminal … [Read more...] about Cathay one of several bidders at Hong Kong
Air cargo – quiet economic powerhouse
Most experts agree that air cargo provides a barometer for global economic swings. One of them, Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the US Federal Reserve, was keenly aware of the importance of air cargo in the global economy. Greenspan, when assessing the health of the US economy, often phoned Fred Smith, CEO of FedEx, to see how the express parcel business was performing. Greenspan saw these shipments as a clear snapshot of the trendline for the entire economy. In the very short term, brisk … [Read more...] about Air cargo – quiet economic powerhouse
B E L L Y A C H E
HARASSMENT - Heathrow, and we are strictly speaking as a passenger here, must rank prominently, if not vying for the top spot, in the Passenger Harassment Competition among the world’s airports. Apart from the fact that its terminal facilities are as outdated, inconvenient and shabby as 30 years ago when we last had to travel through London because other connections to European points were unavailable, the incompetence and gruffness of the people who are supposed to work there, has … [Read more...] about B E L L Y A C H E
EADS
The EADS board of directors has appointed Rudiger Grube (member of the management board of DaimlerChrysler AG) to join Arnaud Lagardere as chairman of the board of directors. Grube has been a member of the EADS board of directors since 2004 and is succeeding Manfred Bischoff with immediate effect. Bischoff resigned after he was named chairman of the supervisory board of DaimlerChrysler AG. … [Read more...] about EADS